Artwork
A wild duck hanging on the tether
A wild duck hanging on the tether is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis Biltius. It is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.
About this work
Overview
A wild duck hanging on the tether is a 1688 oil painting by Cornelis Biltius, a Dutch artist known for trompe-l'œil still lifes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a lifelike wild duck suspended from a tether on a small table, accompanied by a brass horn. The duck's white body is accentuated by a brown head and black spots on its wings and tail.
Technique & Style
Biltius's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and dimensionality, characteristic of his specialized genre scenes. The artist's skillful rendering of textures and lighting contributes to the overall realism of the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1688, the painting is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by refined still life traditions. Biltius worked across the Netherlands and Germany, following in the footsteps of his father Jacob Biltius.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Biltius or Cornelius Biltius (The Hague, baptized 12 November 1653 – in or after 1686) was a Dutch still life painter originally from The Hague who worked in various locations in Germany.
